Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday walked out of the state’s Rajahmundry jail, 53 days after he was arrested in the Skill Development Scam case.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president was granted a four-week interim bail by the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Tuesday. Naidu greeted supporters with folded hands who were waiting for him outside the jail. He met his family members and got emotional as well with his grandson Nara Devans.
“When I was in trouble, you all came on the roads and prayed for me. I will never forget the affection shown to me, not only in Andhra Pradesh but also in Telangana and across the world,” the former CM said.
Granting the interim bail on health grounds, the bench directed the former CM to appear before the Superintendent of the central prison in Rajamahendravaram on or before November 28.
Advocates representing Naidu had informed the court that he needed the bail to undergo cataract surgery. In the set of conditions, it directed Naidu to furnish a bail bond for Rs.1,00,000 with two sureties of the like amount to the satisfaction of the Trial Court.
The TDP chief was also ordered to provide details of the treatment given to him and the hospital where he underwent treatment, in a sealed cover, to the Superintendent of the Central Prison, at the time of his surrender. The HC posted the regular bail petition to November 10.
TDP workers burst crackers in celebration in the Konaseema district, raised slogans in praise and distributed sweets. TDP MLA Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary said today is the day of a festival for the members of the Telugu Desam Party and the people of Andhra Pradesh. “Finally, Chandra Babu Naidu is going to win. There is no evidence, unfortunately, Jagan Mohan Reddy’s managing systems are doing wrong things,” he said.
Naidu allegedly misappropriated funds from the Skill Development Corporation, which resulted in a purported loss of over Rs 300 crore to the state exchequer. He was arrested on September 9.
